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Le Roy

Bicyclist involved in accident in Village of Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

A car and bicycle accident is reported at the intersection of Clay Street and West Main Street, Village of Le Roy.

There is an injury.

The bike rider is out of the roadway.

Le Roy fire and ambulance responding.

UPDATE 5:11 p.m.: The car will need to be towed. "The window is just demolished and it's not driveable," an officer tells dispatch. 

UPDATE 5:15 p.m.: Route 19 is reopened. Le Roy fire back in service.

Ambulance requested to Le Roy to assist officer bit by raccoon

By Howard B. Owens

An ambulance is requested to Route 19 and West Bergen Road where a member of local law enforcement has been bit by a raccoon.

The officer informed dispatch that if they receive calls of a gunshot in the area, it was him killing the raccoon.

A dispatcher asked, "you didn't shoot it in the head did you?" 

Officer: "I don't think so."

The raccoon will need to be checked for rabies.

UPDATE 10:53 p.m.: The animal is being transported to the shelter.

Reader photos of the Flood of 2012

By Howard B. Owens

Almost as soon as the first reports of flooding came in I started getting texts and emails from readers of pictures they were taking. Of course, by this time, I was out taking my own photos, which I'll post later.

We also requested photos in our breaking news post on the storm.

Here are the photos we received so far. If you have any, email them to howard at the batavian dot com (of course, turn that into a properly formatted email address). If you have video, upload it to YouTube and email me the URL of the published video and we can post that, too. Get your photos in soon because we won't keep adding them indefinitely.

Above, photo of the Lehigh Avenue underpass from Greg Emerson.

Route 5 underpass, Le Roy, from Mary Margaret Ripley.

From Matt Hendershott, vehicle stuck under the bridge on Cedar Street.

From Tina Heartgrove, Spencer Court.

From Frank Bellucci, vehicle stuck under train bridge on Ellicott Street.

From Kyle Couchman, Swan Street.

Video from Jamie.

More photos after the jump (click on the headline):

From a reader on Vine Street.

From Janet, Liberty Street

From Robyn Silliman, backyard off Ellicott Street.

From Rita Towner, backyard canoeing.

From Kim Williams, canoeing on Ganson Avenue.

From Jennifer, Vine Street.

Lori Brickwood-Coles, Liberty Street. She included this note, "My sons Alex and Owen had fun in the flood, my Great Aunt told us the story of when Liberty flooded before in the '70s and people had actual boats on the streets because the water was so high."

Photo from County Highway Superintendent Tim Hens of the maintenance yard on Cedar Street.

Police ID suspect in burglaries and nab him at the scene of another alleged break-in

By Howard B. Owens

A suspect in a series of burglaries in Le Roy, Batavia and other parts of the county was taken into custody this morning after he allegedly broke into a home on Summit Street while being monitored by detectives.

Chief Deputy Jerome Brewster said the suspect was identified thanks to alert citizens in the City of Batavia and detectives began to monitor the man's activities.

The name of the suspect, who is being questioned at Batavia PD headquarters, has not been released, but Brewster said he is on parole and had allegedly been out of contact with his parole officer.

After a couple of burglaries in Le Roy where a person entered homes during the day and stole jewelry and other small items such as coins, there were a couple of similar burglaries elsewhere in the county, and then similar burglaries in the City of Batavia.

"This is a suspect in those crimes and I’m fairly confident that we have him," Brewster said. "I think you’re going to see a sudden end to those (types of) crimes being reported."

Detectives from Le Roy, Batavia and the Sheriff's Office cooperated in the investigation.

"This would not have been possible without the cooperation of all agencies," Brewster said.

The suspect's truck was impounded and will be searched once a search warrant is secured.

His name and the charges against him will be released following his arraignment in the proper court or courts of jurisdiction.

Driver reports being unconscious for some time following rollover accident in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

Somewhere in the Lake Street Road and Parmalee Road area a caller indicates he had a rollover accident and was unconscious for some period of time, perhaps as long as an hour.

He isn't sure of his location and said his vehicle is some distance off the road.

Le Roy fire and ambulance and law enforcement are in route.

UPDATE: While there was some chatter about this following our initial report, I never heard an ambulance transport (not saying there wasn't one, I just didn't hear it) nor did I hear Le Roy clear the scene.

Three local students set to attend SUNY Oswego

By Billie Owens

Two local residents have reserved places as freshmen at SUNY Oswego. Fall classes will begin Aug. 27. They are:

Olivia Griep, of South Street Road in Le Roy (Pavilion Central School).
Connor Clark, of Junction Road in Pavilion (Pavilion Central School).

Also, Katherine Hilburger, of Elba, who last studied at Niagara University, will begin her studies at SUNY Oswego.

Admission to SUNY Oswego is competitive. U.S. News named it among the "Top Public Regional Universities in the North" for 2012, the Princeton Review and USA Today named SUNY Oswego to their 2012 list of 150 "best value" colleges and universities in the nation, and the Princeton Review included Oswego in its 2012 college guidebook "The Best Northeastern Colleges."

A 151-year-old comprehensive college in the State University of New York system, Oswego enrolls more than 8,000 students in its College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; School of Business; School of Communication, Media and the Arts; and School of Education.

American Legion Post 576 seeks nominees for Le Royan of the Year

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Le Roy American Legion Post 576 is asking that each club, church, society organization or individual submit a nominee to be considered as the 2012 Le Royan of the Year Award. Deadline is Aug. 22.

In Le Roy we have many outstanding events. It takes volunteers, hardworking individuals, many of them working behind the scenes that make each and every event a success.

The award recognizes people who demonstrate the following qualities:

  • A man or woman who exemplifies the true spirit of Americanism, its ideals, love of flag and country, regardless of race, color or creed.
  • Good citizenship by carrying out these principles, often beyond what is expected.
  • Service to the community, signified by excellence in life of purpose and accomplishments.

Applications can be picked up at the Legion Home 53 W. Main St. Le Roy, and any Le Roy Bank.
Mail application to:

American Legion Post 576

Attn: Catherine Stone

53 W. Main St. Le Roy, NY 14482

Hot circuit breaker reported inside apartment on West Main Street, Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

A hot circuit breaker has been reported inside an apartment at the Royal Apartments, 103 West Main St., Le Roy.

A Le Roy chief on scene reports, "we have a very hot circuit breaker."

He's requested a thermal camera into the building to see if it extends up the wall.

Bergen's ladder truck is requested to the scene mutual aid.

UPDATE 5:59 p.m.: A chief informs dispatch "we're all set here," just waiting on maintenance.

UPDATE 6:09 p.m.: Le Roy and Bergen back in service.

Two Genesee County people arrested and charged in synthetic drug raid

By Billie Owens
Michelle Condidorio Joshua Denise

Two Genesee County residents and one person from Rochester were arrested on suspicion of possessing -- with intent to distribute, and distribution of -- a controlled substance analog, synthetic marijuana.

U.S. Attorney General William J. Hochul Jr. announced this afternoon that Joshua Denise, 37, of Batavia, and Michelle Condidorio, 30, of Le Roy, were arrested and charged along with 22-year-old Austin Szczur, of Rochester.

The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a one million dollar fine, or both. If the substances as described in the criminal complaint caused serious bodily injury, the punishment will be a mandatory 20-year incarceration and a maximum of life in prison, if convicted.

A full report from Howard with information from the DEA and State Police will be published tomorrow.

Accident, unknown injuries, on the Thruway

By Billie Owens

An accident with unknown injuries is reported on the Thruway in the vicinity of mile marker 375.2. A box truck was westbound then crossed over the center divide and came to rest on the north side of the roadway. Le Roy fire and ambulance are responding.

UPDATE 6:33 p.m.: A responder on scene says the vehicle is in the trees at the side of the Thruway.

UPDATE 6:46 p.m.: Injuries, if any, are very minor.

TVYLFSL softball tourney benefits Crossroads House

By Rick Franclemont

On Saturday the Tonawanda Valley Youth Ladies Fastpitch Softball League (TVYLFSL) hosted a Junior Division small ball softball tournament to benefit Crossroads House.

Four teams of 10-12-year-old girls participated, representing Batavia, Le Roy and Byron-Bergen.

Participants and their families were asked to bring donations from the Crossroad House wish list.

http://www.crossroadshouse.com/

"Crossroads House is a comfort care home for those who have a terminal illness and have been medically determined to be in the last three months of life. Crossroads House is an alternative to a hospital or nursing home when care can no longer be provided in the patient's own home."

Le Roy 2 coached by Micky Hyde won the tournament. Tied in points going into the last game with Le Roy 1, Hyde's team scored a run in the last inning to pull off the win.

More pictures from the games can be found here.

Le Roy PD warns of quick-moving burglar in village

By Howard B. Owens

Le Roy residents should be on the alert for a daytime burglar who is looking for undetectable entry and taking easy-to-carry valuables, according to Le Roy Police.

The village has been hit by three burglaries in the past eight days

The burglar is forcing entry at a spot that is concealed from view, or finding quick/fast entry points.

He is stealing items that can be grabbed quickly, easily carried and easily sold.

Burglaries were reported July 14 on South Street, Friday on Wolcott Street, and yesterday on Exchange Street.

Police encourage residents to ensure all valuables are stored in a safe and secure location.

Anybody spotting suspicious activity is encouraged to call 9-1-1.

Le Roy PD looking for tips on Wolcott Street burglary

By Howard B. Owens

An unknown person or persons broke into a home on Wolcott Street in the Village of Le Roy sometime on Friday between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., according to Le Roy PD.

Whomever made the unforced entry stole jewelery.

Anyone with information that might help Le Roy PD solve the crime are asked to call (585) 345-6350.

Le Roy PD looking for information to help solve residential burglary

By Howard B. Owens

Somebody committed a daytime residential burglary on South Street in Le Roy on Saturday and the Le Roy PD is asking for assistance in solving the crime.

According to Le Roy PD, an unknown person or persons forced entry into the residence between 12:45 and 3 p.m. and stole jewelry.

Anyone with information to share with the police regarding the burglary can call the Le Roy PD at (585) 345-6350.

Le Roy native's 'Documente' exhibit is more than just paintings

By Daniel Crofts

The painting above is titled "The Clash of Cultures," in it artist Tom MacPherson shows us some of the dynamics of his family history.

It's part of a new exhibit at Genesee Community College's Rosalie "Roz" Steiner Art Gallery called "Documente: The Italian American Family Album," which includes original egg-tempura portraits, old-fashioned furniture, photographs, music and stories. It will be on display through Aug. 27.

"Clash of Cultures" depicts MacPherson's two grandmothers in 1940s Le Roy. Grandma MacPherson (foreground) was a Methodist (the ribbon around her waist reads "Methodist Church of Le Roy") of Scottish ancestry, whereas Grandma O'Geen (Gugino) was Italian and Roman Catholic.

While Grandma MacPherson stands outside, Grandma O'Geen stands secure in the "bastion" of her Catholic household (behind the front door), with Swiss Guards from the Vatican guarding the entrance, St. Peter (the first Pope) standing by her side, and Pope Pius XII (upper left) keeping watch overhead.

Born in Batavia and raised in Le Roy, MacPherson now teaches studio art at SUNY Geneseo. His family history is kind of a microcosm of Le Roy's overall past.

His Scottish forebears came to Le Roy in 1801, before it even became a town.

"They were the ones who set the tone for what the local culture would be all about," MacPherson said. "And then my Sicilian relatives had to blend into that."

From the MacPhersons' immigration from the Scottish Highlands to the O'Geens' (who changed their name from Gugino to more easily fit in with American culture) immigration from Sicily in 1896, "Documente" is a detailed panorama of the artist's roots.

Included are the adventures of intrepid MacPherson aunts, elderly Italian aunts praying their Rosaries, the persecution of Italian immigrants by the Ku Klux Klan in Le Roy, and the experience of fathers and uncles in overseas wars.

Scenes re-creating household decor circa 1940-60 add three-dimensional reality, an intimate visit into the artist's everyday world at that time. 

Here in "The Pioneer," MacPherson depicts his bold, adventurous great-aunt Kitty standing on the rocks of her ancestral Scotland.

"No, I'm Not Colonel Sanders" depicts great-uncle Rossolino Barone. Like all of MacPherson's portraits, this is based on a family photograph -- in this case, of uncle "Ross" at a family wedding in the 1970s.

In the background is the drug store that he owned in the Rochester suburbs, and overhead are angels borrowed from Fillipino Lippi's "Madonna with Child and Saints."

MacPherson incorporates images from Italian Renaissance art into his portraits in order, in his words, to "infuse my relatives with their heritage."

"I wanted my Italian relatives to be able to relate to their heritage," he said. "And I wanted (the Renaissance elements) to say something about their personalities."

In the case of uncle Ross, the angels are showering roses on him for the kindness he showed other people.

Great-aunt Catherine MacPherson is the subject of "The Conversion of Great-Aunt Catherine." Catherine was an Army nurse during World War I, and she converted to Catholicism in France after seeing the bravery of the priests and nuns who took care of the wounded and dying.

She is set against the background of her ancestral home in the Scottish Highlands, and the overhead image represents her conversion (when she "saw the light").

The subject of "The Walking Dead" is MacPherson's father, Neil Lewis MacPherson. According to the written description next to the portrait, Neil came back home a "changed man" as a result of his experiences in World War II. MacPherson chose to illustrate this by appropriating the figure of death (right) from German artist Hans Baldung Grien's "The Three Ages of Death."

Here are a few other "Documente" displays:

A series of photographs in honor of MacPherson's cousin, Frank O'Geen.

"La Vita Mia"

"What Ya Gonna Do?" (a portrait of an aunt surrounded by religious icons)

"The Adventures of Great-Uncle Pete" (To view a video explaining this one, click here.)

Having explored the history of the two sides of his family in this exhibit, MacPherson is now working on a book on the subject. He hopes to have it published within the next few years.

Roz Steiner gallery is located at 1 College Road in Batavia and is open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Admission is free. Gallery Director Shirley Tokash Verrico always welcomes group tours (though children's groups may not be appropriate, as some of the images are more suited to adult audiences).

For more information, email Verrico at stverrico@genesee.edu or call 343-0055, ext. 6490.

Lost and Found: Sheriff's Office may have your lawn chairs

By Howard B. Owens

If you lost four lawn chairs, Deputy Frank Bordonaro would like to hear from you.

The Sheriff's Office has recovered four lawn chairs on Route 5 in Le Roy that may have fallen off a vehicle passing through the area.

The vehicle was likely eastbound heading toward Caledonia.

If you think they're your chairs, contact Bordonaro at (585) 345-3000, ext. 3229

Le Roy PD nabs burglary suspect following reports from residents on whereabouts

By Howard B. Owens

Early Saturday morning, some Le Roy residents reported seeing a young man going through vehicles and sneaking through yards.

One resident reportedly spotted the man on the rooftop of a residence on Lake Street.

When Le Roy PD first responded, the subject could not be located.

When another resident called in a report of the subject in a back yard, Le Roy PD converged on the location near Lake and Pleasant streets.

The subject allegedly fled on foot and was apprehended after a short chase.

Taken into custody was Tyler F. Longhini, 20, of no permanent address.

At the time of his arrest, Longhini possessed allegedly stolen property, including two GPS units, a Sprint LG phone and prescription medications.

Among the complaints received by police that are being investigated for possible involvement by Longhini is an early morning invasion burglary into an apartment occupied by a resident.

As the morning rolled on, Le Roy PD continued receiving complaints of thefts from numerous unlocked vehicles and an attempted burglary of a locked shed.

Longhini is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, obstructing governmental administration and criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Additional charges may be added if warranted following further investigation.

The Le Roy PD is asking that anyone who may have had a vehicle, shed or residence entered Friday night or Saturday morning, or who are missing property, to call the PD office at 345-6350.

In addition to ensuring any suspected crimes are reported, investigators are hoping to identify the owners of recovered property that may have been stolen.

(Initiial Report)

Suspect accused of falsely reporting theft of jewelry, marijuana

By Howard B. Owens

A 20-year-old Le Roy resident who allegedly reported a residential burglary and claimed jewelry and marijuana were stolen has been accused of stealing the jewelry himself and falsely reporting an incident.

John H. O'Shea was already in the Genesee County Jail on unrelated charges when he was arrested by Le Roy PD earlier this week.

O'Shea is charged with grand larceny, 4th, and falsely reporting an incident, 3rd.

According Le Roy PD, O'Shea contacted police April 19 and claimed a safe full of jewelry belonging to a relative along with his personal stash of marijuana were stolen from his home in the morning hours while he was fishing.

A subsequent investigation revealed the report was allegedly false and that O'Shea either allegedly stole or took part in the theft of the jewelry.

O'Shea remains in jail on an unknown amount of bail.

Suspect in Red Bull theft from Le Roy Tops turns self in at request of relative

By Howard B. Owens

A 22-year-old Le Roy resident is charged with petit larceny for allegedly trying to steal a shopping cart full of Red Bull from Top's Friendly Markets in Le Roy on Thursday.

(Name redacted upon request), who has no permanent address, was reportedly contacted by an out-of-state relative who read The Batavian's real-time news report on the alleged theft and suspected his involvement.

She contacted police with the tip and then was able to contact xxx and convinced him to turn himself in.

xxx walked to the Le Roy PD office in the village shortly before midnight Thursday.

The case began when police received a report that around 1:40 p.m. an unknown white male wearing a white tank top-loaded a shopping cart full of Red Bull and left the store without paying for the merchandise.

The subject allegedly went behind Dollar General and an employee there reported seeing him with the shopping cart of Red Bull.

After abandoning the shopping cart, the subject fled and police attempted to locate the suspect.

The Sheriff's K-9 unit assisted in the search, but the effort was unsuccessful.

As the search was taking place, The Batavian posted details of the unfolding events as broadcast by local law enforcement.

A relative in another state read The Batavian later that evening and began to suspect she knew who was involved and started making phone calls.

xxx was jailed on $500 bail.

Batavia teen accused of sexual contact with child in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

A 14-year-old Batavia boy, if not for his age, would be facing four Class D felony charges of sexual abuse in the first degree, according to Le Roy PD.

The case has been referred to Family Court and because of the youth's age, his name was not released.

The youth is accused of subjecting a child under 11 years of age to sexual contact on at least four occasions in the past year.

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